Illinois-based Rock River Arms this week announced a new entry to their RRAGE series of modern sporting rifles with their new 3G carbine.

Using RRA’s familiar forged LAR-15 lower with an aluminum A4 upper with no forward assist, the RRAGE rifles use 16-inch 1-in-9-inch twist barrels with a CAR-length gas system, low-profile gas block, and a threaded muzzle with an A2 flash hider. While the standard RRAGE runs a lightweight chrome-moly barrel and a short free-floated aluminum M-LOK compatible handguard, the RRAGE 3G comes standard with a heavy barrel and a longer 15-inch railed handguard that retains the M-LOK compatibility.

Pitched as a great entry-level carbine for 3-Gun competitors and sport shooters alike, RRA says the new 3G “delivers an upper assembly with clean, matching contours that is visually appealing and has a smooth, monolithic-style profile for quick, snag-free sling transitions.”

The carbine’s weight is 6.5-pounds and the 3G comes standard with RRA’s single-stage trigger, six-position tactical stock, and a single 30-round polymer magazine. Overall length is 36-inches, with the stock extended. While the standard RRAGE retails for $760 (we beat that in the Guns.com Vault), the RRAGE 3G is set at $820.

CZ-USA this month upped the ante on their scattergun game by announcing the new All-American Single Trap and a whole series of CZ 1012 semi-auto shotguns.

The Single Trap is an upgrade of CZ’s legacy All-American Single to include redesigned CNC internals and replaceable hinge pins. Available in 30-, 32-, and 34-inch single-barrel models, the series uses ported barrels with a lengthened forcing cone. The Turkish walnut stock with laser checkering features a four-way adjustable parallel comb and a variable length of pull while the trigger reach itself can be tuned as well.

The overall length of the All-American Single Trap, with the 30-inch barrel fitted, is 48-inches while the average weight is 8.5-pounds. Besides an adjustable stock, toe-in/toe-out modifications can be made to the butt pad. (Photo: CZ)

The 12-gauge clays gun ships with five extended chokes and has an MSRP of $1,369.

CZ 1012 Semi-Autos

CZ bills their new 1012 series shotguns as something of a “do-it-all” platform that can fill the needs of upland or waterfowl hunters as well as recreational target shooters.

Using a gas-less spring bolt operating system, CZ says the 1012s run cleaner and more reliably than contemporary semi-auto shotguns on the consumer market.

“During extensive testing of this system by CZ engineers and designers, 5,000 shells were fired through several CZ 1012s, without a drop of oil or cleaning of any sort being done. Results? Zero parts breakage or malfunctions,” says the company in their literature on the shotgun.

CZ has five initial models of the 12 gauge 1012 headed to the market, all with 28-inch vent ribbed barrels with a 3-inch chamber and a 4+1 magazine tube. Overall length is 49 inches while average weight is a handy 6.5-pounds, which should have a broad appeal to a diverse range of sportsmen.

All have a cross-bolt safety and 14.5-inch length-of-pull. Each shotgun ships with five extended chokes with an MSRP ranging from $659 to $749 depending on the model.

His top three bullpups are the IWI X95, the FN P90 and the Steyr AUG. Although all three are fully automatic at Battlefield, all of them can be purchased by civilians in their semi-automatic versions.

“They’re all fabulous weapons systems,” said Bryant. He explained the X95 and Styer AUG tend to be a bit jumpy in full auto, “but they’re really, really flat and really accurate in semi-auto,” he said.

He thinks the P90 is the most controllable to shoot out of all three. This is a result of it firing the smaller 5.7×28mm round specifically designed for the weapon. The 5.7×28mm round was designed to compete with the 9×19mm round. So, it’s not as powerful as the 5.56×45mm, but it’s a very capable round.

“If I had to choose between the three,” said Bryant, and he paused, trying to decide which one he liked best, “I’d have to go with the X95 simply because it’s the most similar to the M16.”

The Israelis designed the X95 to replace their M16’s for close quarter situations. They kept a lot of the M-16’s characteristics, which makes it easy for those familiar with the M16, or AR-15, to operate the weapon.

What do you think of Bryant’s favorite bullpup? Do you agree? Let us know the comments section below.

The items seized were worth some $378,000 and came into a California port in three shipments. (Photo: CBP)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection last week announced they had intercepted and seized 52,601 firearms parts in violation of the Chinese Arms Embargo. CBP detailed that the parts, worth an estimated $378,000, included sights, stocks, brakes, buffer kits, and grips that were shipped in three batches through the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. While China legally exported boatloads of firearms to the U.S. in the 1980s, they are currently one of just eight countries barred from sending guns and ammunition to the country.

According to CBP, the parts included a mix of sights, stocks, brakes, buffer kits, and grips (Photo: CBP)

The current ban on firearms from China was put into place in 1994 by then-President Bill Clinton. At the time, the country was reportedly the source of about one-third of all guns and more than half the rifles brought into the U.S. from overseas each year. The firearms prohibition by the Clinton administration came at the same time the White House renewed China’s “Most-Favored-Nation” status for trade privileges despite public outcry over Bejing’s policy of repression on human rights.

Rifles can come in all lengths, opening up the question what’s the difference between an AR pistol and a Short Barreled Rifle? (Photo: Eric Jezierski)

With short-barreled AR uppers becoming a standard option, the question “is a pistol or a short-barreled rifle?” comes up more and more. While they may look the same – and are often used the same way – they’re different.

The biggest difference is the former is regulated like any other firearm while the latter requires a rigorous licensing process. But don’t let that scare you. It’s more along the lines of tumbling than gymnastics.

In this article, I’ll dig in and find out what the difference is between an AR pistol and a short-barreled rifle, and which one is right for you.

What is an AR pistol?

The Ruger AR-556 Pistol is equipped with a SB Tactical Stabilizing Brace and fits the description of an AR pistol.

An AR pistol is an AR-15 minus the stock and, usually, long barrel. Since the guts are still the same, an AR pistol is equipped with a naked buffer tube in lieu of a stock, which, on a rifle, would be built around the tube.

More recently, AR pistols have seen a jump in popularity thanks to a device called a stabilizing brace. While these braces look and can function like a stock, they’re intended to fit around or against the user’s forearm. As the name implies, the brace helps the user stabilize the gun during use.

By the numbers, an AR pistol is an AR-style firearm without a buttstock and a barrel under 16 inches in length. In comparison, a rifle has a barrel 16 inches or longer and is intended to be fired from the shoulder, according to ATF rules.

What is a short-barreled rifle?

The Daniel Defense DDM4A1 features a 14.5-inch barrel putting it in SBR territory; however, the company circumvents the SBR label by pinning a flash suppressor on the barrel, pushing its measurements over 16-inches.

A short-barreled rifle, or SBR, is a rifle with either a barrel under 16 inches, an overall length of less than 26 inches, or both. SBRs can have a traditional buttstock, whether fixed or telescoping. Under the National Firearms Act of 1934, or the NFA, to own an SBR one must pay a small licensing fee and undergo what can be a lengthy licensing process.

Do you want a true SBR or a substitute?

The best thing about an AR pistol is that you can buy it today. There are no extra fees and there’s no additional scrutiny or waiting. You can use an AR pistol in whatever legal manner you desire. While there was once a rule against shouldering an AR pistol, the ATF has since rescinded it.

Those points make the AR pistol sound very appealing, but there are some drawbacks. For instance, depending on state laws and/or configuration, adding certain accessories like a fore-grip to an AR pistol could violate regs. Additionally, regulators may alter or update legal interpretations depending on how new laws are written or court opinions on legal challenges. With that said, don’t let government bureaucracy prevent you from exercising your gun rights.

Outside of the additional cost and lengthy processing time (at least a $200 tax and on average six months), you’re free to use an SBR like you would a rifle. The legality has not changed for decades. Once you have your tax stamp, you can rest assured that your rifle is legally yours.

The best of both worlds

In the end, the choice is wholly depending on what you want (and where you live). But, if you want an SBR but need instant gratification, why not get both? As you begin the process to obtain an SBR, go ahead and get that AR pistol.

The Kriss Vector has an unmistakable look. It’s as if someone pulled it out of a science fiction movie. Even the name has a certain cyberpunk-ring to it. And it makes sense. It’s different than most pistol caliber carbines. Although it’s been around for almost a decade now, behind the boxy frame is still somewhat of a mystery.

Kriss USA, owned by the Switzerland-based company Kriss Group, brought the Kriss Vector stateside in 2011. Originally designed as a submachine gun, it’s perfectly sized as a PCC and more marketable in that configuration for civilian sales. Since then, Kriss has released several variations of the Vector and are now on their second generation.

The newest edition is the Special Duty Pistol with a stabilizing brace, or Kriss Vector SDP SB. While many may see it and use it as a PCC, it’s actually classified as a handgun because of the short barrel and lack of a stock. While the brace was designed to wrap around a forearm, shouldering it is also acceptable usage.

The newest generation of the Vector continues to use the legendary Kriss Super V operating system. This mechanism allows the gun’s bolt to move back and then downward into the bottom of the gun. Hence the name “vector,” a reference to the scientific definition.

The Vector operating system effectively re-directs the energy of the bolt, so felt recoil is minimized. Even though the Vector I was using was chambered in a light recoiling round like 9mm, I could tell that recoil was diminished by the Super V. In fact, recoil was so soft it was a little hard to tell when the bolt locked back after the last round.

As for the brace, it rides on a smooth buffer tube. You can’t really adjust for length-of-pull because it moves too much on the tube. However, it is collapsible.

Compared to the Vector gen 1, the gen 2 model has a couple external additions that make it a little more user friendly. The front MLOK rail shrouds the end of the 6.5-inch threaded barrel (1/2×28) and provides some real estate for accessories. The second welcomed addition is the re-designed pistol grip. It fills he hands and makes manipulating the 45-degree safety and trigger a little easier.

The overall size of the Vector is big compared to a lot of the other sub-guns available. At 7.5 pounds, it weighs as much as an AR-15. Even with the brace, it measures in at 18.5 inches, so it isn’t as package as some. Still, you couldn’t ask for much more for performance. Using a variety of ammo, supplied by AmmunitionToGo, the gun ran flawlessly.

When not in use, the stabilizing brace collapses and folds neatly to the side. (Photo: Ben Brown/Guns.com)

The Kriss Vector SDP SB is very comfortable to manipulate. Every edge and grip area is contoured or beveled to streamline the firearm. Even the side charging handle is spring loaded so that it hugs the side when not in use.

For obvious reasons, like availability and popularity, PCC’s are usually released in only 9mm. The Vector is available in 9mm, 45 ACP, and the almighty 10mm. Additionally the Vector also uses Glock mags. Different calibers appeal to a wider variety of consumers. If you like to shoot suppressed then a Vector in .45 ACP would be well suited or perhaps if you are a hunter then a 10mm with more mustard maybe be the way to go.

Kriss offers the Vector in seven different cerakote options. Black will always be in style but if you want something a little different you can purchase one in OD or Flat Dark Earth. If you live in a snowy environment have no fear because Alpine White is also available.

I personally liked the Combat Grey color that made the black controls and rails “pop” on the gun. I really can appreciate when a manufacturer gives you color options like this. It is going the extra step for the consumer.

In an industry where the wheel seems to get reinvented daily, true innovation is really appreciated from my perspective. Kriss has a very innovative design with the Vector and it’s great to see them make improvements to the with the second generation. I think this is a gun that gets overlooked a lot in the climate where PCC’s are very popular. While nothing is perfect, the Kriss Vector has a lot of the characteristics of a great sub-gun.

U.S.-based gun makers produced over 8.6 million new firearms last year, with almost a quarter of those being 9mm pistols. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Initial gun production numbers are in from 2018, showing an increase from the previous year’s figures and the solid popularity of 9mm handguns.

According to the latest figures from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 8,669,259 new firearms of all sorts were produced last year. This is up from 8,327,792 released into commerce in 2017.

The largest single category of firearms produced in 2018 was in pistols chambered larger than .380ACP to 9mm, with 2,281,450 handguns logged. This is up significantly from 1,756,618 in the same category reported in 2017.

By further comparison, 11.49 million new firearms were produced in 2016 — a modern record — while just over 9 million were produced in both 2015 and 2014. Earlier in the century, domestic gun production numbers remained largely constant at between 3 to 4 million from 2000 to 2008 and then began surging upwards to the 2016 peak, coinciding with the administration of President Obama.

The latest information comes as part of the interim installment of the ATF’s Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report. These reports, compiled from all licensed gun makers in the country large and small, are delayed a year due to the Trade Secrets Act. Because of this, the full 2018 data, broken down by manufacturers, will not be available until next year.

According to the full 2017 report, the top six domestic makers of 9mm pistols in the country by volume– not counting firearms that were imported from overseas– were Smith & Wesson (606,732 produced), Sig Sauer (368,264), Ruger (163,865), SCCY (150,235), Kimber (98,385) and Glock (94,665).